Hire a Great Babysitter

The difference in hiring a good babysitter and an outstanding sitter is the questions you ask during the interview process. However, the work begins before you even meet anyone.

Finding a suitable sitter
– Don’t wait until the last minute to hire a babysitter. Start early!
-Use an established circle of friends, relitives, and neighbors.
-Give preference to someone with experience or slowly introduce a new sitter with short, simple situations.

Interviewing a sitter
To be a informed parent it is not only important to ask a lot of questions but ask the right questions when hiring a babysitter. Take these tips into consideration before interviewing a potental sitter.
Here are a list of questions by The American Red Cross to help get you started:
-Name
-Phone
-Citizenship status
-Age (they should ideally be at least 16 years old. If under 18, do your parents support your babysitting jobs?)
-Do you have children of your own? How old?
-What other childcare experience do you have?
-Do you still babysit for prior clients?
-What are the ages of the children you have watched?
-What do you like about babysitting and being around children?
-Ask how he or she would handle a certain, possibly diffcult, situation
-What do you do in your spare time? Any hobbies or other jobs?
-Tell me about school life. Sports? Activities? Grades? Do you like school?
-What kind of activities do you enjoy doing with children?
-Do you know CPR and any other emergancy procedures?
-What days and time are you available?
-Would you be comfortable getting used to our family by babysitting a few times while we are at home?
-How much do you charge?
-Do you have any references?
-Do you have any questions for me?

Orientate your sitter
-Tour your home. Take time to point out things like fire extinguishers, all phones, circuit breakers, first aid supplies, emergancy escape plan, and what areas are off limits to the children.
-Review the house rules. For instance; meals, pets, tv and computer time, friends and play inside and outside the home.
-Allow time for the sitter to ask you any questions. Provide a list of key emergancy phone numbers.
-Explaing possible behavior problems and how you want them handled.
-Introduce the sitter to your child, allow them to get to know each other. Observe.
-Share the hiding place of your extra key in case they get locked out.
-Explain how the major appliances work.
-Discuss rules which you expect to be followed.
-Discuss alarm systems and how they work. Give code word.
-Tour the kitchen. Point out any favorite food, drinks and avoidables that might trigger allergies.
-Explaing any medications.
-Leave a list of activities that your children like.
-Remind sitter of drowning precautions.
-Introduce sitter to neighbors or friends you can depend on to keep an eye on things.
-Make sure your sitter know the address and phone number in case o a 911 call.
-Discuss her responsibilites clearly.
-If there are any household chores that she should preform demonstrate how they should be done.
-Discuss which privilges you wish to extend her such as food she can eat, cars she can drive, phone calls she can or cannot make.

To help make a great babysitter even better offer to foot the bill for CPR certification. Many community groups offer free classes with tips and ideas for babysitters. By helping your sitter get better you are ensuring quality care of your children.